Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership

Peace Corps

The Peace Corps has been a leader in international development and citizen diplomacy for more than 50 years across more than 139 countries. In an increasingly interdependent world, we tackle challenges that know no borders—such as climate change, pandemic disease, food security, and gender equality and empowerment. Although times have changed since the Peace Corps' founding in 1961, the agency's mission—to promote world peace and friendship—has not. Today, the Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in collaboration with partner organizations and using cutting-edge technologies and well-tested best practices to enhance impact.

Our more than 215,000 current and returned Volunteers know that the Peace Corps changes lives—both their own and the lives of people in communities around the world. Serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer is an experience like no other. In addition to learning a new language, they learn about leadership, ingenuity, self-reliance, and relationship building and become global citizens. Peace Corps Volunteers reflect the very best of humanity, innovation and aspiration for a better tomorrow. When they return home, they share their stories and experiences and give back to their own communities, helping to strengthen international ties and increase our global competitiveness.

The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals:

• Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.• Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. • Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Benefits of Serving

The benefits of being a Volunteer are many, including the following Peace Corps provisions:

• A monthly living allowance• Travel to and from country of service• Medical and dental care• A "re-adjustment" allowance pf $7,425 (pre-tax) upon completion of service• Professional skills, including language and technical training, international experience, and cross-cultural understanding.• Possible school loan deferment or partial cancellation • 48 paid vacation days• Graduate school opportunities, such as scholarships, credit for services, fellowships, and internships.• Transition and job placement support and networking after service.

Pay and Living Expenses

The Peace Corps provides volunteers with a living allowance that enables them to live in a manner similar to the local people in their community, covering housing, food and incidentals. It provides complete dental and medical care during service, including shots, vaccinations, and medicine. It also covers the cost of